This hardy and productive breed originates in the Netherlands and Germany.

In the Netherlands, it was
developed in the region of the three rivers from which it gets its name.
In Germany it comes from the regions of Westfalia, Rhineland and Schleswig
Holstein, and is known there as the Rotbunt.

The Dutch Herdbook was formed
in 1874 and the German Breed Societies in 1900. They were run as
one breeding area across the border until 1914. During the 1920s,
the Dutch bull 'Sjoerd 1 925' was used extensively in the Rhineland area
and played a large part in establishing a good M.R.I. type there.

Between 1920 and 1950, Belgium,
Luxembourg, France and Denmark founded their own Red & White Dual
Purpose breeds, based on the Dutch and Geman stock.

M.R.I. cattle were first
imported into the U.K. and Ireland in the early 1970s. Current milk
pricing structures ensure a huge demand for this extremely profitable
breed, where yields of 8,000 to 9,000kgs at 4.0% protein are not uncommon.

Pure-bred cattle are exactly what
the term implies - they have only M.R.I ancestors, and are directly descended
from imported cattle. Pedigree cattle must be at least 87½% MRI.

Any breed of cattle can be upgraded
to pedigree M.R.I, by using registered bulls, and notifying their progeny
to the Society. The cost of registering cattle starts at
only £2 to notify a first cross which is not of the required red and white.
Pedigree and pure-bred cattle cost £10 per head to register. Full
details will be supplied on request.